PDR Half-marathon race report

This was my first running race since I injured myself during the Philadelphia Marathon 10 months ago. My legs haven't always responded favorably to my run training during my recovery and my coach shut down the majority of my run training the past few weeks because of it. I was very nervous for this race. I wasn't sure I was ready since I hadn't done a long run in several weeks and more shorter weekly runs were very easy. I was still staying on top of my swim and bike training - I just wasn't sure how that would translate into a running race effort.

So PJ and Jenna came to pick me up around 6:30 am this morning and we headed downtown. Unexpected traffic made it a little close for Jenna and I to make it to the start line in time, but we did with a few minutes to spare. I lined up in corral #8 with the other runners who anticipated finishing in 2 hours. My personal best was a 2:06:19 and my initial goal for this race was to break 2 hours. Now that I was at the starting line, I tucked that goal away in the back of my head and really just wanted to finish in one piece without reinjury.

It was a crisp morning, nearing 60 degrees at the start, and sunny - ideal running weather. So much better than last year's PDR which was around 80 degrees and quite humid. Also if you recall, I was sick as a dog with some kind of upper respiratory thing and on a steroid pack to get rid of it. So in a way, this was some sort of redemption.

I crossed the starting mat and almost immediately we were heading directly into the sun as it was rising. Because you are packed in with so many other runners, the pace starts out slowly - which is just what I needed. Every few miles along the course were live bands playing. Around mile 2 or 3, the Eagles Pep band was playing its standard Eagles Fight Song - it put a spring into my step.

Accelarade was the sponsor of this race and I had only trained with gatorade. Even though I know its not good to experiment with anything new during a race, water for 13.1 miles wasn't going to cut it, and I was only taking my gu gel at miles 5 & 10. So just before mile 7, I grabbed an Accelarade at the water stop - BIG mistake. I almost immediately felt sick to my stomach. It made the next few miles a little tough for me. But still, I had been checking my watch at every mile marker - and I was close to being on pace to break 2 hours.

I hit the water stop at mile 10 and refueled with my gu - then I felt that extra kick knowing it was the last 5K. Funny how when you know you're getting closer to the end, it seems to be more agonzing and it never gets there. I hit mile 11 and it seemed like a long mile. I hit mile 12, looked at the watch and it read 1:50 and a few seconds. I had to run the last 1.1 miles in less than 10 minutes. I had been running between a 9 - 9:30 MM pace the entire time so it seemed doable. I kept trying to pick up the pace - but my body didn't really respond. This made me get in my head a little bit and a few times I had to talk myself out of walking the last few 100 meters.

I didn't seem to have anything in me to be able to sprint to the finish - if I had I would have achieved my goal - my offical chip time was 2:00:07. You know what, i'm not going to kill myself over those 7 seconds. This was a huge day for me - I was skeptical that the program my Tri coach had me on wasn't going to get me there - but it did. And not only that, it gave me a new PR (Personal Record) by more than 6 minutes! AND, on top of that, I really didn't have any physical ailments whatsoever - no shin splits or achilles flare up or hip soreness. A few aches and pains here and there, but it was all manageable.

My coach actually rode his bike leading the professional field (the winner was a Kenyan (I know, what a shocker!) who finished in 1:02:02) and I happened to bump into him after the race. We chatted briefly and I told him i'd get in touch with him this week to discuss the next steps. He's been in marathon mode for me this entire time, and I haven't. Now, i'm realizing I might be convinced - although i'm still nervous.

On the car ride home, Jenna and PJ told me I should listen to my coach - and they did point out that he got me to this race with considerably less run training yet I still finished feeling good (during the race anyway - afterwards I got a bit stiff and sore) and setting a PR. And I also spoke to my trainer Lee who basically said I just have to get over it - it's all in my head - it's just fear.

I'm going to see how my body responds to this race this next few days, then my coach and I will make a decision....so stay tuned!!